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"I'm Alive, I Will Survive."
Sound familiar? I am a survivor of domestic violence from my childhood, with
an abusive mother, my 20's with abusive husband and a very physically
abusive boyfriend. I have battered wife syndrome and post traumatic stress
disorder. I have been with my current husband for 23 years of marital bliss?
No. He is very short tempered and verbally and mentally abuses me.
Why? Why have I not stopped myself from walking into an abusive
relationship? Because it took me thirty years to come out of the darkness
and loneliness and get the support I needed. The Women's Support Group for
Domestic Violence at Lewis County Opportunities was always there reaching
out. I am so grateful and one of the fortunate ones to receive their
support. About 12 years ago, right after the O.J. Simpson trial, I
cried in anger, picked up the phone and called the Hot Line at
Opportunities. They were there for me, but I couldn't get the courage to
talk. It was a long, hard struggle to realize my current abuse.
If it wasn't for the Women's Support Group, I would have lived a lie and
unhappily for the rest of my life. They listened, shared and had everything
to do with my finally finding the strength to leave and find peace. It was
all up to me to make a final decision, but I couldn't have done it without
the program's support every little step of the way out of an abusive
relationship. It wasn't too late. Key words were "control", "take care of
yourself first" and "stay strong".
One year ago, the program helped me right after my children almost lost me,
their successful mother, to an overdose. The Support Group helped me see
other women in different stages of an abusive relationship and move up
through threats, restraining orders, court appearances (mirror images of
me)! They took the "lonely girl" image out of me. They have the
food pantry and housing assistance that were blessings for me. You
see, it is a beginning for me.
I shared a whole year with this group. I'm not a creative person but I do
have favorite quotes and songs that I live by:
To those at Opportunities that have been my saviors, and you know who you
are, I dedicate these songs to you.
IN MY LIFE by the Beatles: "There are places I remember, Some have gone, and
some remain. Though those places have their moments, for people and things I
still can recall I'll never lose affection, In My Life, I love you all."
"To everything, there is a season, A time to plant, A time to grow, A time
to harvest, a time to rest. Thank you for my new beginning."
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